Bowl 200-150 B.C. Ptolemaic Period The relief decoration of this shallow bowl is enhanced by the contrast between its primary light turquoise color and the dark blue used in the interstices and background. On the exterior, five petals of the nelumbo lotus interspersed with the tips of inner lotus petals and ribbed leaves of an unknown plant surround the base like a flower. Inside, three rings of nelumbo petals and ribbed leaves enclose the central rosette; a wave-crest pattern and plain band surround the whole.Bowls were part of the widespread faience production in Hellenistic and Imperial Roman times. Examples have been found in Egypt and around the Mediterranean, from Israel in the east to southern Italy in the west. Dual-color relief of varying height is a standard feature of this ware, as is the mixture of Egyptian and Greek motifs. Elements imitating metal vessels are noticeable in some instances. Most bowls of the ware are hemispherical and bear decoration exclusively on the ex